Amy loves Bud Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 We've had some last minute changes to our Christmas plans and I have a bit of a dilemma. My brother had invited some Brazilian students to his house for Christmas, so couldn't join us. His plans fell through and now he and his family are coming after all and we are beyond thrilled. He is a GREAT cook and loves to try and share new recipes. He wants to bring smoked pork chops, which is what he had planned to make at home, so I was thinking I would make all the sides and desserts to go with that. Then it occurred to me that my MIL does not eat pork because it "upsets her stomach". However, she can eat a spiral-sliced ham all day long with no ill effect. She is a little bit of a hypochondriac and if she has a bit of trouble that she can associate with a food, she will never eat that food again. The first meal I ever made for her was a simple tomato soup with homemade bread after we picked her up from the airport. She wouldn't eat the soup because the acid of the tomatoes upset her stomach. So she ordered a pizza. You get the picture. I know this about MIL and work pretty hard to cook accordingly, because as nutty as it seems to me, I do want her to feel welcome. But, I also want to honor my brother and the real joy he gets out of the holiday is cooking. So do I: 1) ask my brother to make something different 2) go ahead have my brother make the pork and make the meal centered around the pork, but make a second meat that I know MIL can eat 3) serve the pork and act like I forgot about MILs problem with it (this isn't really an option, except in my imagination) What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Serve your mil a separate meat. Quietly let your brother know she's a hypo. Or why not just serve brother's pork chops and let her be a veggie that night. Personally I wouldn't consider working around her, even if you like her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.S. Burrow Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Serve your mil a separate meat. Quietly let your brother know she's a hypo. Or why not just serve brother's pork chops and let her be a veggie that night. Personally I wouldn't consider working around her, even if you like her. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Option 2. What a nice way to be giving on Christmas and let everyone be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 How vocal will your MIL be if you do #3? If it were someone other than your MIL who claimed that pork upset her stomach even though she could eat ham, how would you handle it? What does your dh say? She's his mother, after all. I'd be inclined to do #2, but I'd SO want to do #3. I guess I'd have to consider what the fall-out might be if I did #3, KWIM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Buy a small honey baked ham and serve it on the side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelda Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 So do I: 1) ask my brother to make something different 2) go ahead have my brother make the pork and make the meal centered around the pork, but make a second meat that I know MIL can eat 3) serve the pork and act like I forgot about MILs problem with it (this isn't really an option, except in my imagination) What do you think? Is there an option 4? I'm thinking of, "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing", I think, where the house rule was, "Eat it or wear it." Seriously though, I think I'd go with option 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanda Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I would probably serve some sides that can be mains.. like macaroni and cheese and soup and a hearty salad. The meal can then be complete even without meat. I do understand though if you wanted to serve a second meat either just to her or to everyone. A simple explanation is all that is needed... dietary needs. (As the mother of kids who once had terrible food allergies I think your attempt to meet her needs is wonderful.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Just have your brother throw on a chicken breast when he's cooking the pork? And sides....she 'll eat something:-) Sounds like I'm talking about my 5 year old:-) Of course, I don't eat pork, either...but that's another story:-) Carrie:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 Or why not just serve brother's pork chops and let her be a veggie that night. . :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 How vocal will your MIL be if you do #3? If it were someone other than your MIL who claimed that pork upset her stomach even though she could eat ham, how would you handle it? What does your dh say? She's his mother, after all. I'd be inclined to do #2, but I'd SO want to do #3. I guess I'd have to consider what the fall-out might be if I did #3, KWIM? Oh, she'll be vocal. We will hear all about her food issues throughout the meal, regardless of what is served. It's a good question you ask. My MIL operates in a parallel universe sometimes, so I don't know how I would handle it if it were someone else. My child? I'd say get over it and eat the pork chop. An unrelated guest? I'd be sure there was plenty of food they could eat on the table. I guess MIL falls somewhere in the middle. Bud will be fine with anything I decide. He manages her pretty well and keep any fall out to a minimum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to put a turkey breast in the oven and just serve that along with everything else. That way, even if no one else eats it, we'll have something to use for sandwiches later. You've all made me laugh and know I'm not being too uncaring, and at the same time encouraged me to be a good example to my children in providing hospitality. Sometimes it's hard to be a good example. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 Is there an option 4? I'm thinking of, "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing", I think, where the house rule was, "Eat it or wear it." Seriously though, I think I'd go with option 2. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 Of course, I don't eat pork, either...but that's another story:-)Carrie:-) Yes, but do you eat ham? ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Oh, she'll be vocal. We will hear all about her food issues throughout the meal, regardless of what is served. It's a good question you ask. My MIL operates in a parallel universe sometimes, so I don't know how I would handle it if it were someone else. My child? I'd say get over it and eat the pork chop. An unrelated guest? I'd be sure there was plenty of food they could eat on the table. I guess MIL falls somewhere in the middle. Bud will be fine with anything I decide. He manages her pretty well and keep any fall out to a minimum. In that case, I'd go with #3 :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.